College consortium for MRI tech training could grow to other professions

Courtesy photoSean McPherson, an MRI technologist and instructor from KNI Southwest Michigan Imaging in Kalamazoo, works with MRI students.

Doing together what was difficult for them to do individually, six colleges have formed a consortium that means each can offer a two-year degree for MRI technicians.

Demand for trained MRI techs is high. Employment for radiologic technologists and technicians — which includes MRI techs — is projected to grow 17 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Employment Statistics.

However, the field itself is too niche for each of the colleges to tackle on their own in large enough numbers, said Jan Karazim, dean of career and occupational education at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek.

By forming the Michigan Radiologic and Imaging Science Consortium, the six crafted a model that allows them to offer course work online through the Michigan Virtual Learning Collaborative. Students then receive hands-on clinical training at local care providers that already partner with the colleges.

Kellogg Community College, for instance, partners with Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, Bronson-Battle Creek Health System, and KNI Southwest Imaging in Portage and Alliance-HNI of Owosso to facilitate clinical training for its students. About 60 percent of radiologic technologist and technician jobs are in hospitals.

“We decided we could do a lot better as a group than we could as individuals,” said Karazim, who began talking with her counterparts about the idea two years ago.

Formed this year, the consortium consists of Kellogg Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Lake Michigan College in St. Joseph, Lansing Community College and Mid-Michigan Community College in Harrison, north of Mt. Pleasant. GVSU’s role enables students to make a smooth transition should they opt to go on and pursue a bachelor’s degree in radiologic and imaging sciences.

Meanwhile, the six colleges are already looking at ways to expand the model beyond MRI training, Karazim said. Mammography, CT and cardiovascular techs and PACS (picture archiving and communication system) administration hold similar potential — perhaps in as soon as 18 months, she said.

“Our long-term goal is to look at new advanced modalities,” Karazim said. “As a consortium, we feel it’s natural that as we talk about what we’re doing now, we talk about what do we do next. What other educational disciplines can fit into this kind of a model?

“We certainly are open-minded about what may come before us.”

The consortium is also open to additional members and moving into fields of study other than health care.

“Maybe there are other areas where the same model will work,” Karazim said. “We want to make sure we are comfortable and this is going well before we head down that road.”

For MRI, the colleges are offering one cohort per school year. The first MRI cohort of 17 students began training in August and recruiting is ongoing for a second 24-student cohort to start next summer.